T&T U16s reach final of Tri-Nation Series

published by ikhan on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 04:32

Trinidad Express article.

Sydney, Australia - Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-16 Invitational cricket team played their way into the final of the Tri-Nation Series T20 final, which also features India and Australia, after wins against both sides.

T&T grabbed a three-wicket victory over the Australians, and cruised to an eight-wicket win over the Indians to book their spot despite only arriving in Australia on Monday after a long flight for the event, dubbed the Sir Don Bradman foundation youth series, which also features a 50-over competition.

Against the Indians, the T&T team restricted their opponents for 120 for seven, with Emilio Gopaul (two wickets) and Jonathan Bootan and Bryan Boodram (one each) sharing in the wickets.

T&T captain Kirstan Kallicharan then hit 54 off 48—including six fours and two sixes—to guide his team to 121 for two and victory in 18.5 overs, with great support from Amir Jangoo (37 not out) in a 105-run partnership.

Their second match against the hosts proved more challenging, with Australia tallying 158 all out after a rollicking start that saw them power to 50 for four in the first four overs.

Boodram (five for 28), Gopaul (one for 26) and Renaldo Mohammed (one for 30) all helped bring down the run rate to a fairly comfortable target.

Kallicharan then helped pull T&T out of a hole from 58 for three with another half century, scoring 56 off 34 balls. Cavan Byune (ten not out) and Amir Kistow (23 not out) took T&T home with an unbroken stand of 38 to victory with four balls to spare, and into yesterday’s final.

The series will continue with the start of the 50-over competition tomorrow.